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Touching on some Social Media Questions with Answers
- Hellen_Swales
- Jul 18
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 19
Upper Hutt, 18th July 2025
Introduction
Below are some extracts from various social media threads that I have picked up during my own preparations for the forthcoming Local Body Elections for Upper Hutt in 2025.
One of the challenges with social media is that valuable questions and comments can easily get lost in the noise and scattered across different threads and groups and often buried before they're properly seen or addressed.
So, I have captured some of the statements/questions into this blog to distribute to a wider audience. My intention is to present similar blogs in the coming weeks with commentary (statements and questions extracts) on subjects such as Developer Contributions, Rates, Rates Assistance Scheme, Transport and Kerbside Recycling etc. I would encourage you to contact me directly through my email or my contact page if there were specific topics that you would like me to cover.
Regards,
Hellen Swales
Q: The cost of Local Water Done Well concerns me. The projected costs to get water to a house are alarming. This on top of more rate increases.
A: I’m acutely aware that many in our community are deeply concerned about the impact of Local Water Done Well. Therefore, I am working very hard with those in the community who wish to voice their concerns to central government.
I have written a separate Post on Local Water Done Well which you can read here.
The projections outlined in Upper Hutt’s 2025–2026 Annual Plan are alarming, and when you look further ahead to 2034, the estimated cost per water connection ranges between $6,000 and $8,000. In November 2024, I commented in the Dominion Post article “Upper Hutt backs water entity plan” that “Councillor Hellen Swales said she was concerned about the impact on Upper Hutt ratepayers and the affordability of the regional approach.”
Nowhere in the planning documents released to the council so far has affordability for the end user been meaningfully addressed.
My 94-year-old father, who lives alone on a pension, is just one example of how these rising costs will hit hardest, especially as the cost-of-living challenges continue. There was also a comment the other day from a member of the community who said, "Well there goes the kids pool".
Council is still waiting on more information from the new Water Entity (Metro Water) Establishment Board which must be up and running by October 2025. Until this Board has undertaken its work it is unlikely we will get further costs & affordability forecasts till 1st half of 2026.
What we do know is that Water charges will be coming through council for the first 3 years as we move over to the new Water Done Well Entity for the 5 participating councils. This will be in a similar method to how the Greater Wellington Regional Council rates are passed on through the Upper Hutt Council Rates invoice to the community. Post this 3-year period, it is expected that the new Metro Water entity will be up and running and be in a position to take over the separate charging for water. This charge will come direct to the community from the Meto Water entity.
See my Blog titled Local Water (Done Well?) on this website.
Q: Your Conflict with your Job in Petone?
Q: Massive conflict of interest, the Petone gig, should have resigned as a councillor?
A: Councillors are, for the most part, in part-time roles and are often required to be available at unusual hours. The role of Mayor, while full-time, also extends well beyond the typical 9–5 schedule. Many elected members, me included, need to juggle a second job that accommodates the irregular hours required by Council commitments.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate that the Jackson Street Programme has allowed me the flexibility to serve the Upper Hutt community while meeting the demands of my role as Deputy Mayor. I’ve always been transparent about my employment, declaring it on the Conflicts of Interest Register. In all my years as a councillor and now Deputy Mayor, I have never had to step away from a workshop or council meeting due to a conflict of interest.
If anything, my work with over 235 small businesses has enriched my understanding and added valuable depth to the discussions I have contributed to around the Council table. It has also heightened my appreciation for public participation, particularly the importance of welcoming and supporting community members who speak at councils Public Forum—Submitting to council is something I regularly do in the Lower Hutt Council Chamber.
The role has further strengthened my advocacy, particularly in responding to both the Greater Wellington and Lower Hutt Long Term and Annual Plans and assisting the community where possible. Recent Facebook Post
Should I be successful in my bid to become Mayor, I would, regrettably, have to step away from my part-time role with the Jackson Street Programme. But I will remain grateful for the experience and the skills it has helped me develop in service to our community.
Q: Hellen and Blair just Splitting the Vote?
Q: Isn't Hellen just splitting the anti-Guppy vote so she can be deputy again?
A: Interesting that the person corresponding on Facebook sees “Blair and Hellen” as "sabotaging" - or splitting the vote. Once there is more than one person running for mayor, votes will be split as different candidates will appeal to different members of our community. This allows for a healthy democracy. Many in our community need to look at each candidate on their own merits.
After serving two terms as Deputy Mayor, I’ve made the decision to again stand for Mayor of Upper Hutt in the upcoming local body elections.
Over the years, I’ve gained valuable experience and insight into how our city operates—and I truly believe I can bring fresh ideas and stronger direction to both Council and our wider community.
I’ve loved being Deputy Mayor, but I know there’s more I can do—more to achieve, more to lead, and more to deliver for the people of Upper Hutt. I believe I can do this alongside an engaged Upper Hutt community.
This campaign isn’t just about leadership—it’s about building a Council that truly reflects our community’s values, listens to its people, and works together to shape a city we can all be proud of.
I’ve heard the concerns many have shared about the current leadership. My hope is to offer a fresh approach—one grounded in experience, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to positive change. I bring not only knowledge and proven governance, but also a strong belief in teamwork. I’m here to support our community and work constructively alongside fellow councillors to deliver better outcomes for Upper Hutt.
I’m ready to step up. I hope I can count on your support.
Q: As Deputy Mayor you just support Wayne Guppy?
A: The Mayor has the power to appoint the Deputy Mayor. The Deputy Mayor exercises the same roles as other elected members (councillors), and if the Mayor is absent or incapacitated, the Deputy Mayor must perform all of the responsibilities and duties, and may exercise the powers, of the mayor.
This does not mean that the Deputy Mayor shares the same opinion or necessarily votes the same as the Mayor might. I have demonstrated on several occasions that I hold different opinions to our current Mayor.
These vary across multiple issues, and I have voted differently to the mayor’s vote on such issues.
Q: Can you be trusted with my vote?
A: First and foremost, I work closely with the community over many issues. Most recently Maidstone Terraces, Pinehaven Flood Protection and Local Water Done Well, ensured a new Bus Stop got moved to a safer location for the school age children in Blue Mountains to name a few.
I have strong governance experience and understanding of the community and Local Government. I am very familiar with being the voice of the community locally, nationally, and internationally. I am often around the council table, questioning and being a voice with integrity for our community and our businesses.
I will endeavour to build community trust in the council by reassessing our communication strategies to enhance engagement through focus groups on our economy, our environment, and upcoming legislation.
While I'm proud of many initiatives we've supported together on council, there were some decisions I couldn't back and therefore voted against:
Keeping rates at their lowest over nine years led us into years of deficits; I advocated for gradual increases instead. We would not be facing a rate rise of 15.7% if my council colleagues had voted with me. But many of them stood on “Low Rates” election promises over the years.
The costly renovations at H2O Swimming Complex could have been phased more prudently over time as I advocated. But unfortunately, the majority preferred the “big bang” approach to undertake all the work in one phase. Again, another contributor to our rates increases.
Leasing Maidstone Terraces to the Upper Hutt Bowling club at minimal rent over 33 years as this wasn't financially sound; we need better returns for our community. Also, due process was not observed during the council's consideration of this opportunity and so this will be consulted again with the community.
Q: If you're not a rate payer, you cannot vote
A: Not true. All residents of Upper Hutt (even those who do not pay the rates, e.g. a Tenant) can vote if they have enrolled. It is important that everybody has their say, and I would encourage all eligible voters to vote in these elections local body elections in 2025.
Also, those that are not residents but own property in Upper Hutt need to register on Upper Hutt City Ratepayer roll by the 1st of August 2025 to allow them to vote.
You can keep up to date with Upper Hutt Election candidates here :
Q: Crime rate is rising, and people do not feel safe
Q: It would be good to hear your thoughts on the recent retail break-ins and how we as a city can support the store owners
A: Please read this article for my thoughts and actions so far on recent retail break-ins and the crime rate statistics for Upper over the 12 months through to March 2025.
Q: I have noticed a lack of respect towards some people who present their submissions in person at council meetings. These people put a lot of effort and thought into their submissions and have presented some really good ideas. One councillor asked an elderly submitter "Don't you think the train has already left the station?" The submitter was a bit hard of hearing, and he did not quite hear clearly what was being asked. Councillors can ask you questions about your submission, but no one should be demeaned or have their submissions rubbished until they are left offended.
A: I know of the examples you mention, and I can assure you that Councillors who have shown such a lack of respect have been reprimanded in council over their attitude to these members of the public. Our standing orders (the rules that govern us as councillors) clearly set out the expectations of conduct and the process by which complaints can be lodged, investigated, and actioned if necessary., taken.
Here is a link to our Upper Hutt City Council standing orders:
I also point you to a YouTube Video (One of Three) that our Upper Hutt Chief Executive released recently which covers the role and expectations of elected members.
Q: I’m sure all the council people could take a 30% salary decrease too repay the rate payer they splash money on stupid ^%@#^ around Upper Hutt. I’d imagine they don't take cut lunches or their own biscuits to work every day I'm sure we could thin them out on their luxuries every cent helps ..there should be a web page that shows every cent they spend and receive along with the hours they actually work.
A: Standing for council takes a strong commitment, it’s not a 5-minute job. The Mayor is a full-time job while a councillor is approximately 3-5 days a week. It varies from week to week depending on where the council is in its cycle of meetings and responsibilities which can involve travel away from home.
It requires lots of reading and understanding of reports and agendas (often hundreds of pages) along with flexible working hours into evenings and weekends. Most councillors also have a full-time / or part-time job outside of being a councillor, while also trying to juggle a personal life.
In terms of lunches, there’s no free lunch with this job, I (we) take my (our) own. I have only missed one full council meeting this triennium (3 years) as I was chairing a Wellington Regional hearing committee meeting in Kapiti Coast District Council Chambers.
I was asked at a recent meeting about my hourly rate. With the hours that I work I estimate that I am on approximately $2.40 per hour, but I love serving our community and making a difference and sometimes lose track of hours 😊.
Authorised by Hellen Swales: hellenformayor@gmail.com
